Driver who police say struck a pedestrian in Milton held on $20,000 bail

Joe DiFazio The Patriot Ledger jldifazio

Monday

Dec 3, 2018 at 9:58 AMDec 3, 2018 at 7:20 PM

MILTON — Police say a landscaper was seriously injured Saturday when he was hit by a homeless man driving a stolen car while under the influence of drugs.

James Jones, 32, was arraigned Monday on charges of drugged driving causing bodily injury, receiving a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury, negligent driving, driving with a suspended license, failing to stop for police, failing to identify himself to police, resisting arrest and three counts leaving the scene of crash causing property damage. He was held on $20,000 cash bail and is due back in court Jan. 9.

Police said an officer was approaching a "minor accident" on Adams Street near Brook Road around 10:30 a.m. Saturday when Jones took off in a 2003 Nissan sedan without identifying himself. Police said the officer turned his cruiser lights on and followed Jones until the officer saw him cross onto the wrong side of the street to pass a stopped car and run a red light. The officer then ended the chase, police said.

Jones then passed another car on Brook Road, sideswiping it, and hit the owner of a landscaping business who was working in the area, according to police. The victim was taken to Boston Medical Center with multiple skull fractures and a broken leg, according to a police report filed with the court.

The Nissan went on to the wrong side of the road and then crashed into a parked car. Police said that Jones tried to run away, but was chased and tackled by an officer.

Police said that Jones admitted to them that he had "been smoking crack all night and stole the car." Police said that they asked Jones his name and he refused.

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